The Capitalist Conundrum and Indigenous Mental Health

Capitalism, a dominant economic system in much of the world today, is frequently discussed in terms of its ability to drive economic growth, innovation, and individual prosperity. However, it is crucial to ask: what does society truly understand about capitalism, and how does it relate to mental health, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people? This essay seeks to unravel the intricate link between capitalism and the mental health of ATSI communities. The social determinants of health—measured through income, employment, and educational levels—suggest that elevating these metrics should lead to better health outcomes.

Yet, for ATSI people, this relationship is complicated by factors such as poverty, institutional racism, and a history of dispossession and exclusion from family, culture, and land. These historical and socio-economic challenges have culminated in a significant mental health burden for ATSI communities.

Marxist theories of class propose that social inequality arises from unequal access to economic resources, with society divided into two primary classes: the bourgeoisie, who own the means of production, and the proletariat, who have only their labor to sell (Carson, Dunbar, Chenhall, & Bailie, 2007, p. 89). Booth and Carrol (2005), as cited in Carson et al. (2007, p. 89), suggest that while socio-economic status and health are related, there may be additional unaccounted factors at play. This paper aims to explore these 'additional factors' and critically analyze how capitalism, fundamentally at odds with Indigenous ways of living, impacts the mental health of ATSI people—a topic notably absent from existing literature on social determinants of health.

Framing the Question: Personal Reflections on Capitalism

The impetus for this research stems from a personal sense of unease—an intangible specter of capitalism that haunted my consciousness. This awareness crystallized after watching Michael Moore's documentary, "Capitalism: A Love Story," which unveiled the systemic suffering caused by capitalism worldwide. This realization did not dispel the ghost, as the magnitude of capitalism is daunting and beyond individual exorcism. Observing the silent acceptance of struggle among people in my community, it became apparent that many share this haunting awareness, though they are unable to articulate it. This silent torment manifests in destructive behaviors, such as gambling, substance abuse, and even suicide, as people attempt to drown out their helplessness. This cycle of destruction is a stark reality in our so-called modern 'free market' society.

The distress of living under capitalism is palpable, characterized by constant anxiety and depression over basic survival needs such as paying bills or feeding one's children. Such stressors are not easily alleviated by medication or therapy. This harsh reality is compounded for Indigenous Australians by historical trauma and a collective cultural burden, stemming from living under a system designed by white patriarchal 'masters' that demands the surrender of hard-earned money for basic survival. This system prioritizes power and wealth over human well-being and environmental sustainability.

Literature Review: The Burden of Mental Disorders

Mental health is a pressing concern in Australia, with one in five Australians experiencing a mental disorder within a year and nearly half experiencing one at some point in their life (ABS, 2007). The World Health Organization (2008) anticipates that major depression will become the second leading cause of disability by 2030, highlighting a growing urban health crisis. Australia has one of the highest rates of antidepressant use globally, with 1.7 million people using these medications daily in 2011. This trend reflects a broader cultural belief in the chemical imbalance theory of depression, popularized by the release of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Davey & Chanen, 2016; Lacasse & Leo, 2005). Despite extensive data on mental health, there is a lack of specific information on antidepressant use among ATSI people, obscuring the full picture of their mental health struggles.

This paper is part of a broader PhD research project that examines how ATSI people have been coerced into living a reality not of their own making—a Western capitalist system built by European colonizers that prioritizes monetary gain over human and environmental well-being. Karl Marx (1844) recognized the integral connection between humanity and nature, asserting that capitalism disrupts this harmony by focusing on production and trade for power rather than human and ecological health. This research explores how capitalism's disruption of traditional Indigenous life and connection to land contributes to mental health challenges among ATSI communities (Bourke, Bourke & Edwards, 1994, p. 128).

Capitalism and Indigenous Dispossession

Capitalism, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary (n.d.), is primarily concerned with the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth, often at the expense of the greater good. It is a system that organizes production and trade worldwide through private enterprise, profiting from mass human labor (Etymology Dictionary Online, n.d.; Kovel, 2002, p. 51). Lenin (1916) described capitalism as a global system of colonial oppression and financial strangulation by a few powerful nations. Mignolo (2009, p. 20) questions the rationale behind saving capitalism at the expense of human lives, arguing for a decolonial perspective that prioritizes human well-being over abstract economic entities.

Smith (2010) suggests expanding Indigenous studies to include critiques of race, colonialism, capitalism, gender, and sexuality to challenge ethnographic entrapment. This paper explores capitalism as a means of liberation from such constraints, advocating for education that promotes Indigenous ways of knowing and being to improve mental health outcomes.

Societal interpretations of ATSI mental health often pathologize these communities as lazy or unmotivated, ignoring the impacts of colonial power dynamics and capitalism. Duvasula (2016) highlights the disparity between society's admiration for wealthy individuals and its disdain for the economically disadvantaged, whose struggles are often attributed to personal failings rather than systemic inequities. This capitalist narrative contrasts sharply with pre-colonial Indigenous lifestyles, which emphasized community support and reciprocal relationships rather than material wealth.

Professor Geoffrey Blainey (1975) noted that a 17th-century Aboriginal person would have perceived Europe as impoverished, highlighting the stark differences between Indigenous and European ways of life. ATSI kinship systems, rooted in family and reciprocal responsibility, fostered strong community support networks that have been eroded by colonialism and capitalism (Zubrick et al., 2014, p. 75). The destruction of these systems has had profound implications for Indigenous mental health, as traditional trade and barter systems were supplanted by European concepts of ownership and wealth accumulation.

Methodology: Decolonizing Indigenous Mental Health Research

This study places ATSI people at the center, utilizing decolonization and postcolonial theories to examine their cultural worldview and lived experiences. Decolonization involves repositioning the colonized 'other' at the center of inquiry, allowing for an understanding of Indigenous selfhood that has been marginalized by colonial narratives (Chilisa, 2012, p. 13-14). Postcolonial theory critiques dominant Euro-Western research models, advocating for research that respects Indigenous frames of reference and challenges imperialist epistemologies (Chilisa, 2012, p. 19).

Results: Economic Disadvantages and Mental Health

The literature indicates that economic disadvantages significantly contribute to social and emotional well-being and mental health problems among ATSI communities (Zubrick et al., 2014, p. 73; Eckermann et al., 2010, pp. 45-46). Colonization and its capitalist underpinnings have disrupted traditional Indigenous systems, leading to mental health disparities. Figure 1 in the original study visually contrasts Indigenous and European systems, highlighting the hypothesis that the imposition of capitalism is a key factor in Indigenous mental ill health.

Conclusion: Towards a Decolonized Future

In conclusion, capitalism, with its focus on profit and material wealth, fundamentally conflicts with Indigenous ways of being that prioritize community, reciprocity, and harmony with nature. This essay has explored the historical and ongoing impacts of capitalism on the mental health of ATSI people, underscoring the need for a decolonized approach to understanding and addressing these challenges. By centering Indigenous knowledge systems and critiquing the colonial-capitalist paradigm, we can work towards a future that honors the well-being of ATSI communities and acknowledges their rightful place within the broader societal framework.

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